1/30/2009

Okay, last Free-for-All Friday I said I was going to do a little fortune cookie painting. And I had a ton of things going on and I really should have picked something else, like the self-portrait paintings we did at the meeting. That would have been what I was doing and easy. Duh! But, I didn't. And I asked for your input and you came through for me. And I didn't do the painting. THAT has bugged me all week. I've thought about it all week, about why it bugged me. And I felt like I walked out in the middle of the conversation. I just walked away without a response. That happens sometimes but it shouldn't happen often. And somehow it has to be made up. I realize that these conversations are valuable to me. So....

I decided to re-enter the conversation. I went ahead and did the painting. But I did one for each of you who added a fortune. (Well, I have one left to finish after this post) This for me is a gesture that shows I appreciate my blog family because I do.

Wade - "you soon will be blessed with unlimited opportunities"

Jared - "windows error 404, reboot cookie"

Anonymous - "your life is unfini..."

Leila - "the harder you work the luckier you get"

And Tricia - "live simply and simply live"

I did these in a little over an hour (timed myself so I didn't get crazed doing them) so they are just quick sketches but I hope you think they are fun. So, please accept my apology and I will not make a habit of that. That's today's Free-for-All.

1/29/2009

You might have noticed I'm not exactly a morning person so all my posts usually end up later in the day. If this were my husband's blog you'd have something at 4 in the morning instead of 4 in the afternoon. How do people so off schedule from each other get married? But, that's not the Think about it Thursday topic - though it could be interesting. No, it's about art of course.

Art and the economy. So, in this economic climate (bad) why would there be any art market at all? Why would people still spend money on art? Should they? Would their reasons for buying art change? Does it change the reasoning of the market at all? Would you be more or less inclined to buy art now? As an emerging artist in the art market this is on my mind. Think about it.

1/28/2009

OK, so I am thinking, "What happened to Tuesday?!!" My computer is saying that it's Wednesday. I don't think I had a Tuesday. Well, any way I look at it, it is Wednesday, so.........

I am loving books on CD. Since I paint just a bit it is so nice to be able to listen to some of the books that I would like to read. And when I have zoned out a little I can back it up and listen to what I've missed. Then after some time has passed I can listen to it again. Love it, books on CD.

1/23/2009

For Free-for-All Friday I am going to do a little painting of a fortune cookie. And of course fortune cookies have fortunes. So for today I'd like you to be a fortune teller. Tell me a fortune (you have to make it up) that has to do with... I don't know... I was going to give a topic but i'll just be surprised instead. I'll use one of the fortunes in the painting.

So, make up a fortune, or two, or.....

I have a dinner meeting tonight at my home (only about 25 people, ha!) so I have a few others things going today so I am not sure when I will sit down to paint. I'll leave this open until I actually do. Plus I have the KCAC donation painting to finish and take to Kansas City tomorrow. Oh, and Samantha's 10th birthday party tomorrow and.... It may be LATE tonight.

1/22/2009

For Think about it Thursday I am posting a painting (not done yet) that I am donating to Kansas City Artist Coalition's (KCAC) Annual Fundraiser. It is part of the 7 Deadly Sins Series (or I might name the series Vice) #5 Wrath. I kinda like Vice #5 Wrath for a title, it's a little shorter, though 7 Deadly Sins is more well known. (Vices - Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride) I've made 2 of the masks for the series already - Wrath & Pride. I am going to do a series of Virtues next. Okay, I am wandering.

Anyway, I've added symbolism in this painting but I wanted to hear what you think about wrath and what symbolism you see. Think about it.

1/21/2009

These are 2 books from these designers. I actually bought them. I hardly ever by hardbound large books like this. But... I love this style of architecture and I want a house like this someday. I've always been drawn to the courtyard idea but not too many house plans have that and I haven't seen any as well laid out and beautiful as these men produce. That's why I like it.

"Drawing is the supreme way of blotting out your ignorance of a subject... establishing wisdom in its place.... Drawing is learning. It is discipline, a measuring stick with which to see if there is honesty in you. It's a confessional; it will reveal everything about you while you imagine you are revealing someone else [in portraiture]. Drawing is the poet's written line, set down to see if there be a story worth telling, a truth worth revealing."

Irving Stone The Agony and the Ecstasy: A biographical Novel of Michelangelo pg 78

1/16/2009

Free-for-All Friday is about doing something new, experimental, unexpected, and out of the ordinary. Well, today was just that - at least for me - but, not so for Dan of Pie Town Productions (Los Angeles & Chicago). Taping a show for HGTV's Rate My Space is business as usual for him. And he's good at it because I actually had fun doing the taping! (Now that was unexpected on my part.) Well, I can't say much more about it, except that I'll post more around the end of May (if you're interested look for Episode #306) it won't be aired before that. Again, I can't say enough about how personable and professional Dan was in working with us. Thanks Dan! (Shout out to Alisha for suggesting that I upload the pics to RMS)

1/15/2009

Here is the the art instructor over at CMS (Ms. Leeper), Wade and I. We gave an art presentation and demonstration for all of the art classes there. It was really enjoyable and I got about 100 wonderful thank you notes from the kids. These kids were very attentive, practiced some of the art principles, and asked great questions. Ms. Leeper has taught them well. One of the things I learned was that I talked more than I painted which made me realize that I should break things down into 2 presentations - 1) demonstrating painting and 2) talking about becoming an artist. So, next time I'll choose one or the other... or both at different times. But, I am glad I did it. Thanks, CMS Art Students!!!

Think About It Thursday is a Question - What is your passion? Not the kissy, kissy kind. (Though that's loads of fun!) But the kind that makes you want to hurry up with other things so that you can get to it. And when you are working on it, it doesn't feel like work at all. You are excited. You have ideas. You loose track of time. You're in some enlightened zone somewhere. That kind of passion. Where you'd do whatever it is just for the sake of doing it.

Mine is to be creative. I HAVE TO BE CREATIVE. I loose sleep being creative. I forget to eat needing to be creative. I forget I have time commitments in the midst of being creative. I love when my day (and long nights) when they revolve around being creative. I can't not be creative. I've done so many things over the years just to get that creative fix. I love the rush. Did I mention my passion is being creative? Yeah, I'm a little bit of a junkie.

1/14/2009

I was reading an article about marketing that had a link to this guy, Gary Vay-ner-chuk. I went to his site and watched his vid on wine tasting - for 12 minutes. 12 minutes! I don't even drink wine. Or anything else he'd sell. Yet I watched for 12 minutes. Amazing. I was caught up in his passion for what he was doing. His wine site linked to his biz site. Now that's something I can get into. And I have and love his videos and inspiration.

It has nothing to do with art. But, there is tons that he talks about that I have applied to my art biz life. After viewing several of his vids in a row I got out my pen and paper and just kept writing idea after idea I had on things I could do. Here is some of what he's about...

1. He's a little hyped but it works for him because that is him. He talks about being authentic, always.

2. He has short tidbits of info on video. Nothing you have to buy. Just sharing some brain power.

3. He has enthusiasm for ideas. Ideas, ideas, ideas.

4. He has some great wine spots. Even being a non-drinker I like them. Liked the eating dirt part on Ellen.

Funny, a studio gal subscribes to a wine guy's site. But, what he does helps me, it might for you too. That's why I like it.

1/13/2009

I am surprised at how pics of my studio seem to inspire so many people. My studio was posted on Addicted to Decoratingby Kristi. I mentioned before that it was posted on HGTV Rate My Space as well. (more news on that Friday) With the comments of others I have come to the conclusion that most people need some kind of space to do what inspires them. To be creative. Usually we just think of artisans when we think creative but creativity isn't limited to artists. Everyone needs some kind of 'studio'. Whether it ends up being a suitcase, study, shop, or studio the space isn't as important as the activity that's associated with it. Sometimes we forget that. I haven't always had a studio but I've always looked for ways to be creative in my life. And I think I love my studio more because I haven't always had a space like this. Figure out what kind of little space you can carve out for yourself and let yourself be inspired.

1/12/2009

1/29/09 Updated - This is closer to the actual color of the painting. The one below is taken in artificial (warm yellow cast) light. The one above in natural (cool blue cast) north light, which is what I like to paint by.

It's 11:26 pm my time so technically it is still Monday. So I made it. I really like the colors.

1/09/2009

Thanks to all who sent me photos. I would have liked to paint all of them. But, Jared was the first. Jared isn't this age but it is him. So... here it is. When you photograph a painting you see mistakes more quickly and the one I couldn't stand and went back and fixed is the un-level ears. I didn't take another photo yet. Again, this free-for-all Friday was fun for me. It is one I will do again too. Jared, hope you like the painting.

Today for Free-for-all Friday I will do a black and white 8" x 8" (approximately) painting of the first person to send me a photo of themself. It has to be of you. Please save me some hair-pulling by sending a decent resolution photo of decent size. It doesn't have to be black and white, a color photo is fine.

I'll post the photo and the painting sometime Friday. (I make no promises of when.) And mail it to the person in a week or so, when it's dry. I'll only take about 2-3 hours doing it so don't expect world peace from this. Just something new, experimental, unexpected, and out of the ordinary - just like free-for-all Fridays.

1/08/2009

It was brought to my attention that those who didn't have a google account couldn't leave comments. UGH!!! I didn't realize that. So sorry. Hopefully that problem has been rectified. (Alyson Stanfield emailed me to let me know, see, I told you she was good) Again my apologies.

Self Portraits - artists do them frequently. I have done a few. This one is colored pencil of me when I was a baby, not to be confused with one I did as a baby. (That would be talent!) Many portraits are a traditional head and shoulders view. Many aren't. They add things to represent more of what the person is like.

So, if you were doing a self-portrait todaywhat would it look like? Would you do only your face or your whole body? What would you be doing? Where would you be? What would be its mood? Would you add other elements? Things? Special objects? Would you add text? Would you add textural objects? What would you make it out of? These are just a few questions to get your mind going. If you're so inclined make one.

If you had to capture you at this given time what would you do? You would be leaving a piece of your history. Think about it.

1/07/2009

I was thinking about what I was going to post for I Like It Wednesday yesterday and hadn't come up with anything I was really excited about. Then at 12:30 am I thought to myself, "Self, if you are up at 12:30 am looking at this website then you really like it. Post it."

So, my post is about ALYSON B. STANFIELD'SARTBIZCOACH.COM. This is a site that caters to artists working on art marketing skills. Before you stop reading (because you're not an artist) hear me out. I often go to sites that have nothing to do with 'art' and find all kinds of relevant information for my art life. So, you might be selling plants or selling yourself in the PTA but when you find good, solid information, like on Alyson's website, then you can find something that applies to whatever you're doing.

Here are some things to get an idea of what she does...

1. She sends a regular newsletter to subscribers - I don't have to remember myself to regularly check for new things, I just click if I find something interesting. Which is more often than not.

2. She makes it easy. Easy. I am all for taking extra steps out of my life.

3. She always has new things. Speakers, articles, ideas.

4. She has some things that are free. Of course she's in it to make money but she is generous as well. There's a nice balance.

5. She has valuable products. I have purchased some audio and her book. All have been excellent.

6. She's personable. Even online. Life's too short to work with cranky people.

Check it out. See if there is anything there for you but.... That's why I like it.

1/04/2009

Okay, the Free-For-All Friday thing is supposed to be new, experimental, unexpected. And that's what it turned out to be. And hard. I didn't realize when I put this out there that is would be difficult to pick one name. (No, I am not just flattering you all.) So, I did the narrow it down thing. First I started with my three of my laugh-out-loud favorites -

Favorite pot caught in the disposal

64 cents a pound

Obama's Promises

If I had a better sense of humor I would have used one of these. Even though I had a great laugh I'm not really looking for humor in this series. So then I started with my other top ones -

"Autopspolygon - a seeing of one's self from many angles"

"Alumination" or "Foiled Alumination" (A combination of two of Travis')

"Foil Me Once..."

"Moldable - Shaped By Others" (A combination of Perry Family & Dacia)

"Crumbled Leftovers" (A combination of Leila & Pasty)

So, then I had to narrow it down some more. So I took out the combination names. I figured that no one would mind that I combined them but that it wasn't one of the original titles. So then this is left -

"Autopspolygon - a seeing of one's self from many angles""Alumination""Foil Me Once..."

So, that's where I have been stuck for a couple of days. I was actually going to post sooner but I couldn't pick one. And at the beginning of this post I still hadn't settled on one. (You're kinda getting the thinking out loud version now.) I think the thing that has made me narrow this group down is the added meaning to the name. So I chose -

"Autopspolygon - a seeing of one's self from many angles"

The only real difficulty I had with this name was, "How do you say the dang thing?" So, I emailed Jared and asked him. He responded, "A TOPS POLLY GONE". Well, I get that. So THANK YOU JARED for naming my painting. And if you'd like I'll give you a print of it.

Now, I would like to thank all of the rest of you for throwing yourself out there with names. It is not always a comfortable thing and I recognize that. So, my thanks is sincere. I would also like, with your permission, to save some of these names as possibilities for the next foil paintings in the series. Even the combinations. If that is okay leave a post in the comments to let me know. I will let you know if I choose one of yours when the painting is done.

Glad to have you all participate and I hope that everyone had fun with this. It was really exciting for me and I am going to do this again in the future.

1/02/2009

Today's Free-for-all-Friday is naming a painting. Particularly this painting. It's on my easel. It is NOT done yet, but done enough for it to have a name. So far it is Foil #1. Not too interesting. This is a series. So there will be other paintings along this line. The symbolism is not strongly developed yet. The name will work into that. So, things to know when picking a name....

- it is part of a series

- the symbolism isn't strong yet so don't panic about that

- the base of each painting will be a different color

- each foil painting has a different shape foil

- this is not finished, there will be more dark/light areas

- it is about 30" x 24"

- you can suggest more than one name

- you can pass this along for others to try naming

- how the name came to be will go with the history of the painting

I will consider all the names, pick one and post it in a day or two. If you have questions post in the comments area. Someone else might have the same question. Have fun naming this painting.

Greenwich Workshop is sponsoring a fundraiser for an artist, Jennifer Mosher. She is battling cancer and you can read her story here. I don't personally know her nor have I seen her work but I can feel for the situation she is in.

Thinking about something is the start of feeling things. And feeling a thing is the start of actions. And action is the start of making a difference in lives. I am not saying that you need to donate to Jennifer specifically. But, I think that after reading about her you will think something and have a feeling to do something. All I am saying is make an opportunity to do what you feel, whatever that is.